Things To Do This Thanksgiving Weekend

All Weekend

Sailor’s Days

When: 9am-2pm

Location: San Diego Maritime Museum, 1492 North Harbor Drive San Diego

How much: $8-14 admission

It’s Sailor’s Days at the Maritime Museum! Adults and children alike can experience first hand various activities such as what it is like to make rope for sailing, move cargo, raise and lower huge sails, tie sailor’s knots, climb through a steam engine and many more fun things to see and do. All activities are included with regular admission prices, click here for a $2 off coupon!

Dixieland Jazz Festival

When: All Weekend

Location: Town & Country Convention Center, 500 Hotel Circle North

How much: $15-95

Check out the exciting annual 5-day Dixieland Jazz Festival held Thanksgiving weekend. For over 25 years, visitors from around the world have visited San Diego to experience Traditional Jazz at the Town & Country Resort Hotel. Join the Dixieland Jazz Society for 5 days of entertainment and fun with incredible musicians!

Outdoor Ice Skating

Ice skating? Outside? In San Diego? Yes! It’s a wonderful way to enjoy the holidays with your family. There are a bunch of places to go outdoor ice skating in San Diego. Check them out here!

Thursday

O’side Turkey Trot

When: 7am-12 Noon

Location: Oceanside Civic Center, 330 N. Coast Highway

How much: $25-35

Come “move your feet before you eat” this Thanksgiving at Oceanside’s 6th Annual PMCU Turkey Trot 5Mile/5K run/walk. Join one of the fastest growing holiday traditions by participating in this fun event. Be sure to bring the whole family, as there will be races for everyone.

Father Joes Thanksgiving 5K Run/Walk

When: 8-11am

Location: Balboa Park, 1549 El Prado

How much: $20-38

Help feed the hungry by participating in San Diego’s premier Thanksgiving Day 5K! Walk or run through beautiful Balboa Park. Dogs and strollers are welcome! Each participant receives a long sleeve event T-shirt. Medals to the top 3 finishers in each age category. Free beer garden after the race in the Spreckels Organ Pavilion. Funds raised support the meals program at Father Joe’s Villages, preparing 1.7 million meals for neighbors in need every year.

Thanksgiving Dinner Specials

You’ve worked hard all year…..so why should you work on Thanksgiving Day?  Let someone else do the cooking for you while you enjoy a fantastic Thanksgiving Day Dinner. Here are a few places we highly recommend for you to enjoy that special holiday spread!

Friday

Birch Aquarium Tidepooling Adventures

When: 2-4pm

Location: False Point (MAP)

How much: $10-12

Visit a local tide pool to learn how these amazing habitats and their inhabitants truly survive “between a rock and a hard place.” This is the optimal season for tidepooling as minus tides reveal wider beaches and tide pools teeming with life. Birch Aquarium’s trained naturalists will show you how to tread lightly during your visit and help you discover the wonderful world of tide pools.

Shop Macy’s on Black Friday

When: Midnight!

Location: Multiple

Macy’s will be open at midnight following Thanksgiving, but get there early to stake out a good spot in line! Save on brand name clothing, appliances, electronics, cosmetics, kids clothes, and more! Macy’s has 8 San Diego locations, each participating in Black Friday.

Saturday

Taste of the Season

When: 12-3pm

Location: Bernardo Winery, 13330 Paseo Del Verano Norte

How much: Free admission

Sample delicious complimentary holiday appetizers in each of the winery shops while you find unique gifts and specials. Grab a glass of vino and shop in style! Also… Bernardo Winery is participating in SHOP SMALL SATURDAY, American Express’ way of giving back to you when you shop local for the holidays! Spend $25 or more in a participating small business on November 26th and AMEX will credit you $25.

Surfin’ Santa Arrives in Seaport Village

When: 1pm

Location: Seaport Village, West Harbor Drive and Pacific Highway

How much: Free

Santa’s trading in the red suit for board shorts and sailing into Seaport Village on November 26 for his highly anticipated return to San Diego. Santa will arrive via pirate ship courtesy of Pirate Ship Adventures, after which he’ll head to shore for a variety of holiday festivities throughout the afternoon. Complete with rockin’ holiday music and live entertainment, visitors can kick off the holiday season by perusing unique gift shops and taking in the best that the Big Bay has to offer. More information…

Christmas Party at Sweetwater Harley Davidson

When: 3-6pm

Location: Sweetwater Harley-Davison, 3201 Hoover Avenue National City

Wine and hor’doevre’s will be served for the adults and and soft drinks and muchies for the kids. Stop by Sweetwater Harley-Davidson and bring the kids to meet Santa. The Christmas tree will be lit around 4:30. Any canned food item donations are greatly apreciated they will be donated to the South Bay Community Center.

Sunday

Chula Vista Nature Center Birding Tour

When: 11:15am

Location: Chula Vista Nature Center, 1000 Gunpowder Point Drive

How much: $6-11

Birding tours are led every Sunday at 11:15 AM. Free for members and free for all with paid admission to the Nature Center. Come learn about the local bird communities of San Diego. Visit their website here!

Balboa Park Spreckels Pavilion Free Organ Concert

When: 2pm

Location: Spreckels Pavilion, 1549 El Prado

How much: Free

Each week, Spreckels Pavilion puts on a free Organ Concert. Enjoy a lively concert, then wander around Balboa Park’s trails and museums. This week’s concert will feature Jared Jacobsen.

Click here to see our Calendar of Events